Kim's advice

Give up control. What can we really control, anyway?Hair: Sure, I can use globs of gel, but if my hair wants to misbehave, I just throw on a hat, go on and enjoy the day.Life: When things don’t go your way, accept what you can and get creative to find another way to deal with the situation.

Be gentle.Hair: If you are rough with your hair, it will break and tear. Treat you hair like a fine piece of silk. Note to self: Go and buy a fine piece of silk.Life: Same thing: Go easy on yourself—use compassion and self-love. You are a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!

Be patient—growth takes time.Hair: If you just wait and take great care of your hair, it will grow up to 1/2 inch each month.Life: If you nurture yourself and work at it, you, too, will grow and flourish immeasurably.

Seek your community.Hair: Ask for help. Find folks who will embrace you and give you advice on your journey. Check out You Tube. I did.Life: Find a community of like-minded individuals or choose a mentor who has been there and done that—and listen.

Sometimes you get haters and naysayers.Hair: Ignore them, or tell them to back up off your scalp!Life: Ignore them or do like I do and stay up late at night debating mean Twitter followers and nasty bloggers. Trust me—it's really a colossal WASTE of time and energy!!!

When in doubt, lubricate.Hair: Keep your scalp clean and your hair well moisturized.Life: Hey, do what you can in all areas to keep things s m o o t h!

Celebrate!Hair: Your hair is your crowning glory and a part of you. No matter what it looks like, show the world what you are working with!Life: Sometimes I know what I’m doing and sometimes I don’t. I only have control over how I choose to respond to things. I can choose happiness and joy every day. I invite you to do the same.

If you have any hair or life tips to share, post them here. I am ready and willing to learn!

Go Miss Kim!! I am newly naturally too. I was also inspired by the naturally movement (thank God) and finally stopped fighting the curl. I understand all the emotions you are going through. I went through them too. But once you realize what everyone else see that your hair that YOU are beautiful it will get easier. And once its starts to grow like a weed (like mine did after leaving it alone and not fighting it) you will be amazed. Good luck. Your an inspiration. A beautiful inspiration!

Wow. It's astounding that at 49 years old, anything on your body should feel foreign to you. It's really sad that sooo many black women feel that they, as they were made, are some how not good enough or pretty enough naturally. So much so that when they decide to just be natural, they could say as Kim says, "I don't know what I'm doing yet". If you have been a stranger to yourself for 49 years, that is really unfortunate. Kudos to miss Kim for finally finding herself. or for at least looking.